The Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program provides students with incentives to meet and exceed behavioral expectations. Officials who work for a Maryland middle school say they have seen a change among students since implementing the program, and that it is a useful tool for the bus environment.

A year ago, Jeff Walker became transportation director at Litchfield Elementary School District #79 in Phoenix. The department has since cut costs, reduced the number of student disciplinary incidents on its buses and improved its safety record.

Pupil transporters discuss practices they have established toward this effort, such as assigned seating. They also address the importance of creating policies on eating and drinking and transporting backpacks and instruments, as well as ways to reduce noise inside the bus.

An expert on the disorder explains the reasons behind students’ disruptive or inappropriate behavior and offers tips for how pupil transporters can respond to improve the quality of students’ lives in and outside the school bus.

From loading procedures to proper footwear to student discipline, pupil transportation professionals share their tips for reducing risks on and off the bus.

If transportation administrators pose these questions before entering into an agreement to share or combine their services, they will avoid a number of problems, including miscommunication among bus drivers, scheduling conflicts and disagreements about student discipline procedures.

An increase in pitch while speaking, repetition and inappropriate humor are several signs of impending dangerous behavior. Stepping in when they are heard can help to prevent students from harming others.